Vietnam recorded 4,813 malaria cases in 2018, down 70.16 percent from 2009, it was reported at a conference on malaria control in border areas held in the Central Highlands of Dak Lak on April 18.

Nearly two thirds of the cases (over 64.6 percent) were in the three provinces of Binh Phuoc (southeastern region) and Gia Lai and Dak Lak (both in the Central Highlands).

Vietnam is steadily working towards the strategic target of completely eradicate malaria by 2030, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology (NIMPE) Nguyen Quang Thieu said.

Photo: Vnexpress

He stressed that the national strategy on malaria prevention and elimination for 2011-2020 is designed to ensure that all people have access to early diagnosis and prompt and effective treatment at public and private health facilities, and full protection for people living in regions with risk of malaria.

Delegates to the conference looked into outstanding problems and challenges in malaria control work in border areas.

Among solutions put forth at the conference, local authorities, organisations and communities are urged to allocate sufficient funding and actively participate in prevention activities. The delegates also recommended strict disease supervision of immigrants, especially those who regularly stay in forests or return from malaria hot spots.

The conference agreed on the need to call for assistance from foreign organisations to ensure constant funding for malaria control work.